KRASNOYARSK, Russia – Kristian Oldham (Anchorage, Alaska/Clarkson University) made 23 saves, but the U.S. Men’s National University Team fell to the Czech Republic, 4-1, in its opening game at the 2019 Winter World University Games.
The Czech Republic opened the scoring late in the first period after a U.S. tripping penalty sent the Czechs to the power play.
After heading to the locker room down leading 1-0, the Czechs would get another power play opportunity early in the second period and capitalize to expand the lead to two.
The Czechs added a third goal with 7:30 remaining in the second stanza to bring its lead to 3-0.
The U.S. shrunk the Czech's lead to two early in the third period when Zach Mitchell (Chicago, Ill./Lindenwood University) scored 1:26 into the stanza.
Despite outshooting the Czechs 11-7 in the third period, the U.S. could not find the back of the net a second time.
The Czechs added a fourth goal with 5:31 remaining to close out the contest.
Team USA continues preliminary-round action Sunday (March 3) against Hungary at 12:30 a.m. ET.
NOTES: At the 2019 Winter World University Games, Team USA is competing in Group A alongside the Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, Russia and Slovakia. All games will be played at Crystal Ice Arena … For complete coverage of the U.S. at the 2019 Winter World University Games, click here.
DATE | OPPONENT/ROUND | LOCATION | ARENA | Time (Local/ET)/Result | STATS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fri., March 1 | Czech Republic Preliminary |
Krasnoyarsk, Russia | Crystal Ice Arena | L, 1-4 | Stats |
Sun. March 3 | Hungary Preliminary |
Krasnoyarsk, Russia | Crystal Ice Arena | W, 8-1 | Stats |
Tues., March 5 | Russia Preliminary |
Krasnoyarsk, Russia | Crystal Ice Arena | L, 2-3 | Stats |
Thurs., March 7 | Slovakia Preliminary |
Krasnoyarsk, Russia | Crystal Ice Arena | L, 3-6 | Stats |
Sat., March 9 | Japan Preliminary |
Krasnoyarsk, Russia | Crystal Ice Arena | W, 3-1 | Stats |